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Mid-America Center Entertainment District

Mid-America Center

From circuses, rodeos, sporting events, and much more, the Mid-America Center has hosted top names in show business as well as numerous community events with their spacious exhibition and convention spaces. Local shopping, restaurants, exciting casino gaming, a brewery, and 2,674 hotel rooms are all located within three miles making this one of Council Bluffs' top entertainment districts! Check out our list below of upcoming events at the Mid-America Center to check out. 

This list will be continuously updated. 

MAC Entertainment District Upcoming Events:

Winter Jam | Mid-America Center
February 1 

Addiction Dance Competition | Mid-America Center
February 2 - 4 

MCDA Cheer and Dance Championships | Mid-America Center
February 3 - 4 

StarQuest 2024 Regional Competition | Mid-America Center
February 9 - 11 

Thirty Years of Hope | Mid-America Center
February 10 

Dance to the Beat Cardiovascular Care Fundraiser | Mid-America Center
February 17 

Redline Cheer and Dance | Mid-America Center
February 18 

Rainbow Dance Regional Competition | Mid-America Center
February 22 - 25 

MAC Shows LLC Gun & Knife Show | Mid-America Center
February 23 - 25 

PRCA Championship Rodeo | Mid-America Center
March 15 - 16

The Sports Epicenter of Council Bluffs

The Mid-America Center entertainment district is home to several sports facilities that host events from national championships to world team tournaments and local club competitions. These amazing facilities have made Council Bluffs a top sports destination!

Iowa West Field House

Iowa West Field House entrance 

This multi-sports facility opened in early 2017 with more than 100,000-square-feet, sufficient for 12 regulation volleyball courts or eight high school size basketball courts. In addition to its courts, Iowa West Field house hosts futsal, wrestling, gymnastics, and martial arts among other sports for family, league, and tournament play. 

Iowa West Pickleball 

Iowa West Pickleball courts

Iowa West Pickleball is a new indoor six-court facility with reserved courts and open drop-in play sessions. Each session is $5 to reserve for Council Bluffs Area Pickleball club members or $7.50 for non-members. Courts can also be reserved for three hours ($20 for members and $30 for non-members). A schedule for each session is available via the Council Bluffs Area Pickleball Club. Located in the Iowa West Field House, Iowa West Pickleball has a separate, exterior entrance located east of the Field House’s main entrance near the Mid-America Center

Schedule of Events

Iowa West Sports Plex 

Local soccer players at the Iowa West Sports Plex

Operated by the Council Bluffs Soccer Club and named in honor of the lead donor for the project, the Iowa West Sports Plex is a 75,000 square foot indoor turf facility that hosts sports including soccer, baseball, and softball with the potential for flag football, rugby, across, ultimate frisbee, and more! Their concession stands, league play options, Walk Fit walking club, and sports performing training make this a lively and active place for local and visiting athletes. 

Schedule of Events

Council Bluffs Recreation Complex 

Located just minutes away from the Mid-America Center entertainment district, the Council Bluffs Recreation Complex hosts numerous local league teams as well as regional and national tournaments. The facility is home to 10 regulation soccer fields, four football fields, seven softball fields, and three baseball fields. 

Conveniently Located Local Dining Options

Pizza from Big Kel's Pizza & Wings

Looking for a bite to eat after the big game or event? There are great locally-owned, family-friendly restaurants just minutes away! 

  • Big Kel's Pizza & Wings
    Named after the owner's father, Big Kel's Pizza & Wings is a family-friendly restaurant featuring scratch-made pizza, chicken wings, sandwiches, and ice cream. As an added bonus, there's an awesome game room for the kids to play a variety of arcade games!
  • Full Fledged Brewing Company
    The very first brewery in Council Bluffs, Full Fledged Brewing Co. is a community gathering place to enjoy a pint and meet up with some friends. They brew all of their beer on-site and have up to 18 different craft beers on tap. 
  • Home Team Cookout
    Home Team Cookout serves your favorite game-day meals including appetizers, burgers, brats, sandwiches, and more! A little league menu is available for children. 
  • The Porch
    The Porch serves up homestyle dishes, 10 beers on tap, and has an unlimited salad bar option. The restaurant's patio spaciously opens up to sand volleyball courts, perfect for spring and summertime evenings. Their menu consists of appetizers, the local's favorite gourmet mac and cheese, pizza, burgers, and soups, and salads. A kids menu is also available.
  • The Salty Dog Bar & Grill 
    The Salty Dog Bar & Grill is a locally owned restaurant that specializes in scratch-made comfort food. Their menu consists of their locally famous wings, appetizers, soups and salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps, and dessert. A kids menu is available.
  • Tish's Restaurant
    Tish's is a local restaurant, serving appetizers, soup and salads, ribeye, salmon, chicken, pork chops, sandwiches and burgers, wraps and flatbreads, dessert, and more. Their spacious patio makes this a wonderful place to take the family or a great place for a romantic diner. 

For a full list of restaurants in Council Bluffs, visit our restaurant listings

UNforgettable Attractions

Racers on the track at Joe's Indoor Karting
  • Ameristar Casino
    Ameristar's riverboat casino consists of 38,500 square feet of gaming excitement! The Sportsbook is the place to be for real-time odds, points, and over/unders. The casino offers three dining options and four bars for your dining needs. 
  • AMC Star Council Bluffs 17 & IMAX Movie Theatre 
    Located just steps away from the Mid-America Center, you can catch the newest movie in comfort! AMC Council Bluffs features the comfiest recliners seats, reserved seating, a bar, Dolby Cinema, and RealD 3D and IMAX viewing options. 
  • Bass Pro Shops
    Bass Pro Shops is one of the anchors to the area surrounding the Mid-America Center. Outdoor enthusiasts will find all sorts of items they want to take home here among the fishing, hunting, camping, and watersports merchandise. Even if you're not looking to purchase any outdoor gear, the shop's over-the-top outdoors decor, complete with woodland scenes and an aquarium, makes it a must-visit. 
  • Horseshoe Casino 
    Get in on the action at table games, more than 1,600 slot machines, and with sports betting at The Book. The casino has three restaurants giving you a choice of buffet, casual, and upscale dining. The casino is open 24 hours daily.
  • Joe's Indoor Karting
    Council Bluffs' first and only indoor karting facility, Joe's offers fast and furious kart racing with European indoor karts racing up to speeds of 45 mph. In addition to races, Joe's also offers classes and leagues. Racers must be 14 years old and up. Children between 8 and 13 may take a training course if they meet the safety criteria. Visit Joe's Indoor Karting's website for full details and information. 

Iowa West Public Art 

Molecule Man by Jonathan Borofsky

Council Bluffs is home to an impressive and outstanding collection of public art that has been created by artists that are known around the world and funded by the Iowa West Foundation through their Iowa West Public Art Initiative. While enjoying the entertainment in the Mid-America Center district, take a walk around and enjoy these UNbelievable pieces of art. 

For more information about the Iowa West Public Art pieces, download the Otocast App! It serves as your personal tour guide to the outstanding public art in Council Bluffs. 

UNcover the Rest of Council Bluffs!

Looking to see what the rest of the city of Council Bluffs has to offer? Check out the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge that connects us to our neighbors in Omaha over the 'Big Mo'. Visit the Historic 100 Block of West Broadway for other great local dining options and nightlife experiences, or shop till you drop at Metro Crossing Shopping Center or the Lake Manawa Power Centre. Use the buttons below to find local attractions, restaurants, and hotels. 

Attractions in Council Bluffs

Restaurants in Council Bluffs

Hotels in Council Bluffs

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